Thanks to your incredible work from our local childcare providers, we’ve distributed $1,554,650 in retention grants and infant incentives to child care providers across Reno County. These funds have been critical in stabilizing the child care system, and we deeply appreciate everything you do for children and families in our community.
Since launching this initiative in 2023, we have continuously refined and adjusted our funding programs based on data collected from providers and community needs. All changes are made with the core goal of the Reno County Child Care Task Force (RCCTF):
Stabilizing the child care system
Ensuring equitable and transparent funding
Supporting all providers—home-based, center-based, school-based, and other early childhood education (ECE) programs
The updates outlined below are designed to improve accountability, ensure fair distribution of funds, and maintain the integrity of this initiative.
1. Important Reminder: Grant Funding Ends in 2026 – Start Planning Now
These grant dollars will run out in 2026, and we strongly encourage providers to begin planning now for what this means for their business.
How RCCTF is Supporting Providers Beyond 2026:
We have been and will continue to collect data from providers through various avenues, including budget reports, provider surveys, and direct input, to inform future initiatives that help reduce administrative cost burdens on providers.
Our goal is to develop long-term solutions that help offset the financial challenges providers face as this funding comes to an end.
How You Can Stay Informed & Engaged:
Log on to our website to stay updated on funding and initiatives: renocountychildcare.com
Sign up for the RCCTF Newsletter to receive important updates - the sign up form is located on our website
Attend our Community Training Initiative "Lunch & Learns" to learn more about how RCCTF is working to support providers. Learn more about upcoming training events here: renocountychildcare.com/training
We are committed to advocating for sustainable funding solutions that will support providers beyond 2026, but it is critical that providers stay informed and engaged in these efforts.
2. Part-Time Children Now Compensated at a Reduced Rate
A part-time child is defined as a child who attends less than 30 hours per week. These children will be funded at 50% of the full grant rate.
Important Clarifications:
If two part-time children are splitting the same slot, this counts as one full-time child, not two part-time children.
If a child leaves and is replaced by another child, only the currently enrolled child should be submitted, not both.
This ensures funding aligns accurately with active enrollment.
3. Reporting of Federally Funded Slots
Children whose slots are fully funded by federal programs (except DCF) must now be reported separately in a designated column in your grant submission. These children will no longer be eligible for retention grants.
Examples of federally funded slots that are ineligible:
Free UPK slots (if the provider receives federal funding that covers all costs to parents).
Other federally funded programs that eliminate all parent-paid fees.
Why This Matters:
This ensures equitability across the system for providers who are ineligible for specific grant funding and ensures that no provider is receiving both full retention grants and separate full federal funding for the same child. By tracking these slots separately, we ensure funds are directed appropriately while maintaining transparency and fairness in funding distribution.
4. Tracking and Documentation Requirements
To ensure grant funds are being used as intended, providers must submit a statement with each submission detailing how retention grant funds were used.
We use this information to:
Inform elected officials, decision-makers, donors, and the community about how these funds have supported providers and why they remain necessary.
Ensure funds are used appropriately and not for unrelated expenses (e.g., vacations, personal expenses, etc.).
5. Audit Requirements & Compliance
As the fiscal agent for the Reno County Child Care Task Force (RCCTF), United Way is required by federal law to ensure all funds are used appropriately and to prevent fraud within the system.
Audit measures will include, but are not limited to:
Additional documentation with each quarterly submission proving enrollment numbers, including child names and contact information.
Random audits that may include contacting parents to confirm their child’s enrollment.
United Way is actively working to finalize the auditing process and will communicate these procedures to providers as they are determined.
Please Note:
When submitting retention grants, providers acknowledge and agree to these stipulations by clicking the agreement button. These requirements have been clearly communicated as part of the retention grant process.
We recognize that determining exact audit steps has been a challenge due to the lack of administrative consistency across different programs, but our goal remains to ensure compliance while minimizing administrative burden on providers.
Next Steps for Providers
Start Planning Now – Funding ends in 2026, so consider how this impacts your business long-term.
Stay Engaged – Attend Lunch & Learns, sign up for updates, and stay connected.
Keep Providing Input – We are actively working on future funding solutions, and your input is critical.
We understand these updates may require some additional effort, and we appreciate your cooperation. Our goal is to support you and advocate for the funding you need while ensuring these resources remain accessible and accountable for our community.
If you have any questions, please reach out—we’re here to help!
Thank you for your dedication to the children and families in our community.